Lona Longbrake
Pierre
Summary
Encouraging manager and problem-solver with talents for team building, leading and motivating, as well as excellent customer relations aptitude and relationship-building skills. Proficient in using independent decision-making skills and sound judgment to positively impact company success. Dedicated to applying training, monitoring and morale-building abilities to enhance employee engagement and boost performance.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Nurse Specialist/Director of Nursing
Indian Health Service
11.2024 - 04.2025
- Managed and supervised 21 support staff.
- Directed programs including infection control, immunizations, Employee Health, Diabetes, Community Health, Maternal Child Health, Telehealth, Ambulatory Care, Health Education, and Community Events.
- Served as a key member on the Executive C-Suite, Great Plains Area Governing Body and Adhoc Team.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction with comprehensive assessments, timely interventions, and effective communication.
- Improved patient outcomes by developing and implementing specialized nursing care plans.
- Managed inventory of medical supplies and equipment. Worked with vendors to obtain quotes while minimizing waste and controlling costs.
- Advocated for the rights of patients in vulnerable populations, working diligently to secure appropriate accommodations or resources when needed.
- Streamlined workflow for the nursing team by optimizing scheduling and delegation of tasks.
- Assisted with departmental audits, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and identifying opportunities for improvement.
- Participated in policy development processes within the healthcare organization, influencing changes that improved the overall efficiency of operations.
- Contributed to departmental quality improvement initiatives by identifying areas for improvement and implementing evidence-based best practices.
- Mentored new nurses, fostering a supportive learning environment and promoting professional growth.
- Developed strong relationships with physicians, ensuring clear communication regarding patient needs and treatment plans for optimal outcomes.
- Facilitated therapeutic communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and helping patients regain or improve coping abilities.
- Led teams in driving successful patient outcomes by prioritizing standard of care and best practices.
- Collaborated with leadership to devise initiatives for improving nursing satisfaction, retention and morale.
- Leveraged feedback and process improvement opportunities to create safer and healthier environment and increase patient satisfaction.
- Oversaw recruitment, hiring and orientation of new staff.
- Managed budgets effectively, identifying cost-saving measures while maintaining high-quality patient care standards.
- Served as a liaison between nursing leadership, clinic administration, medical staff, allied health professionals, patients, families, and other stakeholders to ensure effective communication and collaboration.
- Championed a culture of continuous learning by promoting professional development opportunities for nursing staff, including in-house training programs, conferences, workshops, and online resources.
Chief Executive Officer, Acting
Indian Health Service
05.2024 - 11.2024
- Managed all departments of the entire health care facility including a staff of 110 employees
- Lead on the Executive C-Suite Team, Great Plains Area Governing Body and Adhoc Teams, General Staff meetings, Executive and Supervisor meetings, and monthly meetings with Tribal delegations.
- Establish, develop, and implement policies and procedures. Ensure policies are followed to promote patient quality and safety.
- Recognize deficiencies in processes and work to improve processes within timeframes.
- Create and manage budgets and expenditures. Review financial reports and spend plans.
- Highly knowledgeable in Human Resources - recruitment, relocation, retention, creating new positions, market research, EEO, Merit System, Union Laws, Employee Relations/Employee Labor, disciplinary procedures, policies and regulations.
- Develop, implement and monitor staff performance plans.
- Facilitate collaboration and cooperation with my staff, internal and external stakeholders, patients and community members.
- Negotiated favorable contracts with suppliers and vendors, ensuring cost-effective procurement processes.
- Managed partnerships and strategic business relationships by negotiating contract terms and handling conflicts.
- Streamlined operations for improved efficiency, reducing overall costs and increasing profitability.
- Performed Environment of Care Rounds to ensure cleanliness and safety of the facility and grounds.
- Prepared and authorized purchase card requests and requisition orders by calling for quotes, buy-Indian purchases, creating cost comparisons and promoting cost savings.
- Performed risk management, root cause analysis, iStar events, performances indicators, quality management, patient satisfaction feedback surveys, and utilization reviews.
- Reviewed and investigated patient and employee complaints.
- Drove continuous improvement by fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and open communication across all levels of the organization.
- Improved operational efficiency by redesigning internal processes and implementing cutting-edge technology solutions.
- Managed high-performing teams to successfully execute corporate objectives and drive organizational success.
- Implemented strong hiring and training techniques to promote team cohesiveness and streamline overall workflow. Worked alongside my staff to improve relationships and workload
- Oversaw major infrastructure upgrades to support rapid growth while minimizing downtime or disruptions to existing services.
- Established and maintained strong relationships with customers, vendors and strategic partners.
- Created succession plans to provide continuity of operations during leadership transitions.
Nurse Specialist/Director of Nursing
Indian Health Service
06.2017 - 05.2024
- Same duties as listed from 11/2024-04/2025
- Planned and prepared for AAAHC accreditation
- Performed grant writing and managed the grants awarded.
- Performed chart audits and peer reviews.
- Created and implemented care plans.
- Served as Acting CEO during the CEOs absences
- Reviewed scholarship applications
- Led the Patient-Centered Medical Home
- Served as President of the Great Plains Council of Nurses
- Created and provided oversight on budgets and spend plans.
- Managed the COVID team with education, case management, quality and safety, infection control, mass testing and mass immunization events, and partnering with tribes and FEMA.
Nurse Educator (Diabetes)
Indian Health Service
03.2017 - 06.2017
- Assessed competency levels among nursing staff, identifying areas of improvement for targeted interventions.
- Promoted professional growth among nursing staff through continuous education opportunities, conferences, and workshops.
- Established a supportive learning environment by providing guidance and mentorship to nursing staff.
- Increased collaboration among nursing staff, promoting shared decision-making and improved patient outcomes through targeted educational initiatives.
- Fostered a culture of lifelong learning among nursing staff through ongoing support and encouragement.
- Identified individual patient needs and assisted patients and their families in establishing goals through recommended counseling and treatment modalities to satisfy the objective of therapy.
- Reviewed and updated care plans, reviewed lab values, self-management skills and measures designed to prevent diabetes and the complication of diabetes.
- Provided case management. Worked directly with the physicians and specialists to improve patient outcomes.
- Served as the Director of Nursing when she was absent and also provided nursing care in the clinic when short staffed.
Nurse Specialist/Grant Program Coordinator
Indian Health Service
01.2014 - 03.2017
- Supervised 3 employees.
- Performed grant writing. Created annual budgets and expenditures. Prepared documents for grant reviews and audits.
- Compiled statistical data
- Performed Quality Improvement studies.
- Created and monitored research projects.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction with compensive assessments, timely interventions, and effective communication.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction with comprehensive assessments, timely interventions, and effective communication.
- Provided health care and preventative health care to patients.
- Provided case management, referrals, and scheduling patients.
- Established work relationships through community outreach to promote partnerships.
- Organized and presented community health events.
- Managed and maintained inventories and a patient incentive program.
- Served on community coalitions.
- Organized, managed, and planted community gardens and orchards.
- Certified as a Lifestyle Coach
Clinic Nurse
Indian Health Service
09.2010 - 01.2014
- Educated patients, families and caregivers about conditions and treatments.
- Maintained detailed documentation of patient records, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Coordinated referrals to specialists or external healthcare providers when necessary for specialized care.
- Educated patients on disease prevention and management, promoting healthy lifestyle choices.
- Prioritized workload. Excellent in time management.
- Created team building exercises.
- Performed chart reviews and peer reviews.
- Worked well independently and as a team.
- Developed strong rapport with patients, fostering trust and open communication for better understanding of their concerns.
- Reduced patient wait times through effective triage and prioritization of tasks.
- Implemented infection control measures consistently, maintaining a safe and sanitary clinic environment for patients and staff.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices in nursing care and industry trends.
- Enhanced clinic efficiency by streamlining processes and implementing best practices in nursing care.
- Increased patient satisfaction with compassionate care and effective communication.
- Reduced patient wait times by efficiently managing appointment schedules and optimizing clinic workflow.
- Reduced medication errors, meticulously managing and dispensing medications according to physician orders.
- Implemented patient satisfaction surveys to gather feedback, leading to continuous improvement in service delivery.
Education
Master of Science - Nursing And Health Care Administration
University of Phoenix
Tempe, AZ05-2016
Skills
- Clinical judgment
- Occupational health
- Health promotion
- Quality improvement
- Customer service
- Active listening
- Critical thinking
- Computer proficiency
- Prioritization
- Staff training
- Recording keeping
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Customer satisfaction
- Goal oriented
Timeline
Nurse Specialist/Director of Nursing
Indian Health Service
11.2024 - 04.2025
Chief Executive Officer, Acting
Indian Health Service
05.2024 - 11.2024
Nurse Specialist/Director of Nursing
Indian Health Service
06.2017 - 05.2024
Nurse Educator (Diabetes)
Indian Health Service
03.2017 - 06.2017
Nurse Specialist/Grant Program Coordinator
Indian Health Service
01.2014 - 03.2017
Clinic Nurse
Indian Health Service
09.2010 - 01.2014
Master of Science - Nursing And Health Care Administration
University of Phoenix
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